Finding a small, dark spot on the skin can be confusing, as it might be a harmless mole or a potentially problematic tick. This article clarifies the differences between ticks and moles and provides guidance on what steps to take once identified.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Ticks are small arachnids with eight legs as adults. Before feeding, a tick’s body is typically flat and oval-shaped, often resembling a small seed. After attaching and feeding on blood, their bodies become engorged and much more rounded, sometimes appearing like a small grape. Ticks do not have hair and are capable of movement before attaching. Once attached, a tick embeds its mouthparts into the skin, making it difficult to dislodge.
Moles are common skin growths made of pigment-producing cells. They are permanent and do not move or embed themselves. Moles vary in appearance, from flat to slightly raised, and are typically symmetrical with a uniform color like brown, black, or tan. Their borders are usually distinct and regular. Moles can be found on any part of the body.
What to Do If It’s a Tick
If identified as a tick, prompt and proper removal is necessary. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking motions, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Do not attempt to remove a tick by burning it with a match, smothering it with petroleum jelly, or painting it with nail polish. These methods are ineffective and can cause the tick to regurgitate potentially infectious fluids into the bite wound. Dispose of a live tick by:
- Placing it in rubbing alcohol.
- Sealing it in a plastic bag.
- Wrapping it tightly in tape.
- Flushing it down the toilet.
Monitor the bite area for several weeks for any signs of rash or fever, which could indicate a tick-borne illness.
What to Do If It’s a Mole
Most moles are benign and pose no health risk. However, it is important to regularly self-examine your moles for any concerning changes. Familiarizing yourself with the “ABCDE” rule can help in this self-assessment:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color variation: The mole has different shades of brown, black, or even patches of red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: Greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- Evolving: Any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or elevation, or new symptoms like bleeding, itching, or tenderness.
Regular self-checks allow you to become familiar with your normal moles and notice any new or changing spots.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Consult a healthcare professional if you are unable to completely remove a tick, or if parts of the tick remain embedded in the skin. Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms such as a rash, fever, body aches, or joint pain within several weeks after a tick bite, as these could be signs of a tick-borne illness. Uncertainty about a bite or general concern after potential exposure also warrants professional advice.
For moles, a healthcare professional should be consulted if any of the ABCDE criteria are met during self-examination. Any mole that is new, growing rapidly, itching, bleeding, or causing discomfort should also be evaluated. Early detection of changes in moles can aid in diagnosing skin conditions, including melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
Citations
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html